Bulls' Noah back, will start vs. Grizzlies

Joakim Noah and coach Tom Thibodeau confer during a Bulls game last season. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Tribune Photo)

Joakim Noah returned to the Chicago Bulls after missing three days of practice to attend his grandmother's funeral overseas and will start in Tuesday's preseason opener against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Coach Tom Thibodeau said he would play his starters roughly 7-8 minutes to open each half, depending on foul trouble. He also stressed the need for a revamped second unit to develop chemistry.

"I don’t know where we are conditioning-wise, so we’ll get a look at that," Thibodeau said. "Usually, I try to stay within seven or eight minutes and then start our subbing there. They may get in again. We’ll see how we’re looking. It’s also important for both units to find some rhythm. We need for them to play together. That has to be a priority right now."